Hotel Chocolat Fortified Tasting Collection

Back again with another round of Hotel Chocolat’s Tasting
Collection. So far we have looked at the Classic, Mellow, and High Cocoa; now
it is time to move on to the Fortified Tasting Box, which provides a selection
of truffles all containing a boozy treat of some kind.

Apart from a slightly darker tonal shift, the red box looks
pretty much the same as the classic version. On a shelf they might be a bit
difficult to tell apart, but since the tasting collections are usually sent out
in the post, it does not really matter.

The menu for the Fortified box not only describes the
truffles, but also features one of the spirits used. It explains the origins of
Five Kings Brandy, such as how it got its name, how and where it is made, as
well as the flavours it produces. These added details are always interesting,
especially if you eat chocolate with a connoisseur’s hat.

1.Appleton
Estate Rum

Jamaica is the father of rum and, on the country’s Appleton
estate, they use sugar cane, spring water, and oak aged barrels to bring out
all its subtle flavours, including toffee and vanilla. The scent of vanilla
comes through the truffle’s mellow 70% chocolate shell, which is filled with a
smooth 40% milk ganache. Although described as ‘knock your socks off’ in
strength, I found the rum very gentle: lovely and warming. 8/10.

2.After
Dinner Armagnac

The After Dinner Armagnac gives off sweet vanilla notes and
is decorated with creamy white chocolate dots. Individually, each of these dots
has a lot of flavour, but they do get lost in the overall experience of the
truffle. The Armagnac truffle is meant to also contain coffee, but I could not
detect any. Despite this, it tastes delicious and still gets 8/10.

3. Penderyn Whisky Caramel

This Welsh whisky truffle was a bit perplexing given that I
could not find any of the flavour notes described (rich fruit, raisins,
vanilla, toffee, caramel). It tasted fine, but it was ultimately very
forgettable. 6.5/10

4. Penderyn Whisky Dark

When you change the base, you change everything. Although
using the same whisky, the switch to 50% ‘Supermilk’ shell and dark chocolate
ganache turned it into something completely different. Here you get smoky notes
and a much deeper flavour. 7/10

5. Ruby Port Truffle

This truffle smells of red berries and is full of rich deep
red wine flavours. The port goes very well with the 62% dark chocolate ganache,
which uses cacao from Brazil. 9/10

6. Cointreau Ingot

If you are looking for something with a lighter flavour,
this Cointreau Ingot has soft citrus notes of orange. It is very juicy and
delicate alcoholic notes. 10/10

7. Sipsmith Sipping
Vodka

According to chocolatier, Kiri Kalenko, she chose white
chocolate as the base so that the vodka could shine through, undiluted by other
flavours. It works. The vodka has a sweetness to it, which is enhanced by notes
of vanilla from the creamy white ganache. 10/10

8. Sidecar Cocktail

While the Cointreau Ingot was a light delight, the Cointreau
in the Sidecar Cocktail is much stronger. This is because you get a double
helping, mixed with cognac. The alcohol, however, overpowered the other
ingredients, which apparently includes lemon oil and orange. For that I can
only take their word, because I was only able to taste the booze – nice as that
was. 7/10

9. Five Kings Brandy

Five Kings Brandy is named after an historic banquet held in
London in 1361. Among the guests were five kings including England’s Edward
III, John II of France, David II of Scotland, Valdemar IV of Denmark, and
Cyprus’s Peter I. They were served a similar spirit to what the Five Kings
Brandy is today, which is made from Cypriot xynisteri grapes. The grapes are
turned into white wine, which is then distilled and aged in French Limousin oak
for at least fifteen years. Here the brandy is infused into a milk chocolate
ganache, and has a sweet mellow flavour. 8/10

10. Amaretto and
Frangelico

Amaretto and Frangelico are both nut liqueurs with notes of
almonds and hazelnuts, respectively. Here you get the taste of a praline
without the thick richness. Instead the filling is a light white ganache, which
provides subtle hints of marzipan. 7/10

11. Eagle Rare Bourbon

At first, the Eagle Rare Bourbon looks like it has
everything going for it, with its thick outer supermilk shell, and dense
truffle filling. Sadly, it does not live up to expectations. The bourbon is
crafted in Kentucky and aged for ten years in oak barrels, which is supposed to
give it ‘warm notes of raisins, toffee, cocoa, and candied almonds’. I must not
have been paying attention, because these elements were lost on me. All I got
was strong whisky and a slightly sickly feeling. If there were no bourbon, it
would have been a beautiful truffle, but that would also take way the whole
point. 6/10

12. Gin Truffle

After biting through its 70% dark chocolate shell with a
satisfying crack, you will be immediately hit with strong notes of juniper.
Floral and slightly fruity, it has a light aromatic flavour that I found
pleasing, but may not be to everyone’s taste. 7/10

13. Raspberry Liqueur

I had high expectations for this Raspberry liqueur, but it
failed to deliver and ended up being my least favourite of the collection. The
truffle lacks any zest, zing, and raspberry for that matter. It has a very high
volume of alcohol, which just gave me a headache. 5/10

. Black Cat Martini

Fortunately, we can end the review on a high as the Black
Cat Martini more than made up for previous disappointment. Its juicy ganache is
a combination of blackcurrant and liquorice blended with grey goose vodka and
is both warming and revitalising. 8/10

Hotel Chocolat’s Fortified Collection provides a great
variety of different liqueurs, spirits, and wine. In some instances the alcohol
can be too strong and drowns out the chocolate flavours, but in most instance,
there is a good complimentary balance.